Charles Sturt University (CSU) lecturer in Teacher Education, Mr Bob Dengate, wishes regional NSW students well in the looming HSC exams, but suggests that there is much more involved than luck. “It’s all about preparation. HSC students have spent the past two years preparing for these exams in one way or another,” he said. “The students who will do best are those who have a balanced life, yet have done the extra work, using value-added resources such as study groups and online services.” The CSU Director of NSW HSC Online, Mr Dengate has been involved in the recent introduction of study tips on the CSU website link. “This is a great way for students to help students. There are plenty of useful tips already and we invite students to also add their favourite tips and to visit the Study & Exams part of NSW HSC Online”. Developed in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education and Training, the website link provides access to quality educational resources for rural and regional students.

Four Charles Sturt University (CSU) public relations students will be in the middle of high-octane engine revving V8 Supercars action this weekend when they assist organisers to stage the 2008 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 race at the internationally famous Mount Panorama motor racing circuit. Starting today, Tuesday 7 October, the second- and third-year students will work at the race headquarters to help with media and race team liaison until the end of the race on Sunday. Mr Donald Alexander, the course co-ordinator of public relations and organisational communication  at the CSU School of Communication, said the annual Bathurst 1000 race meets the course’s requirement to provide as much real-world work experience as possible during the students’ courses. “The race organisers have praised our students for their creativity, enthusiasm and hard work at the race in the past three years, and this job-ready experience assists our students to be top of the list whenever they seek graduate public relations positions,” he said.

During National Mental Health Week, which runs from Sunday 5 to Sunday 12 October, Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Bathurst is planning activities for students and staff to raise awareness of mental health issues and the resources available to them. Starting at 12pm on Wednesday 8 October on the University library lawn, the University’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee will host a free bar-b-que at a stall with brochures, ’stress less’ activities and free information. CSU OH&S spokesperson, Ms Meghan Bailey, said “To support the Mental Health Week theme of ‘building resilience and promoting a positive attitude to help appreciate the little things’, the University student support team including counsellor Ms Jerre Weaver and the University’s campus nurse, Ms Kathryn Foster, will speak to students and staff about services available to them. Staff from Headspace, a Federal Government-sponsored mental health initiative for youth, will also be on campus.”

Mr Petero Civoniceva, who plays for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League competition, was the special guest at a presentation of Telstra sponsorship to the Charles Sturt University (CSU) rugby league team and other local Bathurst sporting teams on Wednesday 8 October. Four representatives of the CSU rugby league club on the Bathurst Campus – Joel Begnell, Kurt Dickinson, Alistair Murphy and John Killey – received the sponsorship and met Mr Civoniceva at the presentation in the Rafters Bar in the Student Union. The sponsorship to the CSU rugby league team, valued at $1 500, consisted of tackle bags, kit bags, first aide kits, a water drum and water bottles. In 2008 the Telstra Assistance Fund has provided $1.25 million in equipment to 1 282 local sporting clubs involved in football (soccer), surf life saving, swimming, rugby league and Australian Rules.

Charles Sturt University (CSU) is lending its expertise to a recruitment campaign with a difference. Instead of targeting prospective students, this campaign is targeting pet dogs. In partnership with the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service and the company HomeoPet, CSU is recruiting 150 dogs from across Australia to participate in research into the treatment of anxious animals. The study will examine the effect on dogs of the homeopathic remedy known as Anxiety. “We would like to hear from anyone who has a pet dog which reacts to thunderstorms,” said Dr Jacqui Ley from the Sydney Animal Behavioural Service. “The anxiety may be demonstrated in behaviour ranging from destructive activities to simply barking at a storm.” “Through its veterinary science program, CSU will be supporting the research by analysis of the data,” said Head of the CSU School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Professor Kym Abbott.

In the lead up to the Super Cheap Autos Bathurst 1000 motor race on Sunday 12 October, event promoter V8 Supercars Australia awarded scholarships to five Charles Sturt University (CSU) students to assist them with their studies. At a ceremony at Bathurst Regional Art Gallery on Thursday 9 October, the retiring chief executive officer of V8 Supercars Australia, Mr Wayne Cattach, presented the scholarships totalling $30 000 to CSU students Ms Lauren Mason, Ms Caris Bizzaca, Mr Justin Lanser, Mr David Marchese and Ms Amy Spear. Head of Bathurst Campus, Mr Col Sharp, said “Charles Sturt University appreciates the generous support of its students by V8 Supercars Australia, which has contributed over $85 000 worth of scholarships to 32 Bathurst recipients in recent years. All the scholarship winners were highly motivated young people who are achieving well in their studies and more broadly.”

After 35 years as a lecturer at Charles Sturt University (CSU) and its predecessor institution, Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE), Associate Professor Noel Thomas has retired from his role as Head of the School of Teacher Education. Professor Thomas began his teaching career in 1968, and after completing a Masters degree in mathematics, taught at the University of Papua New Guinea before joining MCAE in 1973. Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education, Professor Jo-Anne Reid, said Professor Thomas’s distinguished career as a teacher educator has brought the respect of both students and colleagues. “Retiring as Head of the School of Teacher Education, the largest School on the Bathurst Campus, Professor Thomas has shown his capacity to grow and change over the years, developing a research profile and working in the classroom with children learning mathematics right up to the end of this career,” she said. Professor Thomas will be farewelled by colleagues at a dinner at the University on Monday 20 October.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) Bathurst Campus Health Promotion Service is holding a free ‘Chill Out’ barbeque on the library lawn at 11.30am on Thursday 16 October to promote awareness of mental health, sexual health, and alcohol and other drug issues. CSU spokesperson and University nurse, Ms Kathryn Foster, said October is Mental Health Month at CSU and this promotion has been designed to bring in relevant organisations to encourage a closer link between the University and the wider community. “Often, mental health issues can influence students’ intake of alcohol and drugs, leading to poor sleep, course failure, violence and unsafe sex,” she said. “So it is important for everyone to be aware of the services available in our community to help when stress, anxiety or depression are affecting our daily lives.” A range of services and personnel will be present to advise students and guide activities.

The Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Teacher Education will stage a conference about environmental sustainability at the Bathurst Campus on Friday 24 October. Ms Jan Page, lecturer at the School of Teacher Education, said the conference, Education for Sustainability: Connecting Classrooms and Communities, will provide practical ideas for teachers and community members to adapt and adopt. “The focus is on ways that education for environmental sustainability can be used as an integrating tool for both the school curriculum and for connecting classrooms and communities. The conference is particularly timely given the attention that environmental issues are receiving, and aims to raise the importance of environmental education in schools,” Ms Page said. The conference will include a panel discussion with teachers who have experience of implementing environmental initiatives in schools.